So Long Magazines

I recently learned that Newsweek will no longer be printed in the future.  This is one of many periodicals that have either cut down on number of issues, number of pages/articles or stopped printing altogether in the last few years.  This weekly magazine is scheduled to stop at the end of 2012 after 80 years of publication.   There will be an online edition available starting next year.  I am sorry to see this happen.    

I was introduced to periodicals in high school when I first began to do research for reports.  I believe the first research paper I wrote for school was on cathedrals in France.  I was instructed to use everything available in books then look for more up-to-date or current information in the periodicals.  I no longer do term reports for school but I rely on the quick and easy magazine to provide me with what new and what may be making history in the future.  For me, the digital edition will not replace the paper.   I am still prefer to receive a paper copy of the daily news even though a digital copy is available.

I believe that some time in the future, paper magazines will be come popular again just as they were 80 years ago when Newsweek started.  The magazines may not reappear for educational use,  but maybe just to offer an alternative method for seeking new information.   

You can find recent and vintage magazines at Nella’s Books and Collectibles.

Munch and The Great "Scream"

Edvard Munch, the great Norwegian Expressionist painter, was known for portraying extreme emotions like jealousy, fear and loneliness.  His most famous work, “The Scream,” shows fear to the extreme.  It’s amazing that when Munch first exhibited the painting, the exhibit was closed because many found the image unsettling.

Early this spring, the painting, “The Scream” by Munch sold for over $100 Million.  This was the only one of the four versions that was privately owned.  A poem is included with this version giving some insight to the artist’s inspiration.  Munch mentions in his poem “the great scream in nature.”

Over the years this work grew in popularity especially with the pop culture.  This most recognizable emotionally charged image has meant a great deal to many.   Maybe one of the reasons this piece of art work is so popular even today is because many can identify with the fear of losing one’s mind as well as a “great scream in nature.”

Goodbye Art Fairs

Fall has arrived and its time to say goodbye to the outdoor art fairs for a while. I will admit that I am sorry to see these events to come to an end.   I attended the last big art festival in my area a few weeks ago and it was great.  Art festivals, in my way of thinking, are another way to share art with the public.

Outdoor art fairs are an enjoyable and easy way for many people to come together to enjoy art.  There are plenty of art events held inside during the fall and winter months.  I don’t believe the number in attendance is anywhere close to the number that attend outdoor events.  When an art event is held outside, it seems more friendly and down to earth.  A few years ago, a local museum held a “support the arts” event in the center of town during the lunch hour.  It was not the most ideal day to have an outside event.  I believe it was February and although we did not have snow it was lightly raining and chilly.  Attendance was good.

I was amazed at the number of people who participated in this event.  Of course, it was free and there were a few performing artists as well as speakers.  It is hard to say whether this short event was popular because it was so unusual to experience the arts outdoors in the cold weather months or whether everyone was just eager for more “community” art.   

I am hoping for a similar event this year-- if for no other reason than to have all art lovers, curiosity seekers and others to come together and experience art.

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Old Art Newly Discovered

It seems that there have been several reports lately of old works of art being discovered.  I don’t doubt that these are legitimate findings but I somehow question the timing.  It seems we go for quite a bit a time and there are no discoveries.  Then all of a sudden two or three make their way to the news.    

A few weeks ago the news reported that the Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science discovered a Picasso in their basement.  The painting, Seated Woman in Red, was a gift to the museum and was never displayed.   It appears it was miscataloged even though it was signed by Picasso.  The museum is planning to sell the painting.   

Recently a T.C. Steele and a Renoir painting were discovered.  The Renoir was found in a box of items purchased in an auction in Virginia.  The painting, Paysage Bords de Seine, will soon be for sale.

In the world of fake art it does seem strange that these works of art are appearing so frequently. Some experts are stating that they are the real thing and perhaps they are.

www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com

Lalique - Jewelry Genius

One of the most admired jewelry artist in the world is Rene Lalique. Although known for his glass, his jewelry is magnificent.   His inventive designs contributed to the popularity of the decorative arts in the 1890’s.   His extraordinary jewelry, based on selecting a motif from nature, became very important to the popular Art Nouveau style.

While reading art catalog, I discovered that Lalique, unlike many other jewelry makers, spent several years studying art and later had an apprenticeship in the jeweler’s craft.  Some of the most breathtaking pieces of jewelry by Lalique involved flowers, bugs and seeds.  Lalique’s “A Bee and Flower Brooch” is a classic example of Lalique’s imagination and his influence from the French countryside.   This small detailed piece of jewelry contains abalone, gold, enamel and glass.  

Lalique’s jewelry is popular not only because of his creative designs but also he possessed a  mastery of the techniques.  It’s been said that he would accept only the highest quality in his work.  His enameling is an excellent example of the high standards that Lalique possessed.

Lalique, a very important art jeweler and Art Nouveau designer died in 1945.  There have been many great jewelry makers since Rene Lalique.  My guess is that many have borrowed something from this great genius.

Nella's Books and Collectibles

Olympic Art

I am still waiting for something big to take away from the Olympic games in London this summer.  My expectations were that the art world would be on fire in London.  That we would experience art in a brand new way.  What I would like to see is something spectacular from this event to later be placed in the art history books.

The opening presentation viewed by millions was enjoyable.  Some will view this as a great artistic theatrical presentation.   Anish Kapoors’ magnificent tall sculpture will forever be a part of the London scene.  Anna Chromy’s statute, Olympic Spirit I am told is also a great work of art.  The fact that it can only be viewed by the athletes makes it more special.    This Chromy’s statute will be eventually auctioned off and will eventually have a new home. 

I recently read that museum visitations in London in general are down (as expected) during the first week of the Olympics.  Of course the Tate Modern has continued to enjoy a nice increase in visitors with its new exhibits.  The theatres in general are doing well.   Displaying an exhibition of hats on statutes around town I thought was very humorous and inventive but not great art.

I know the closing ceremonies will be spectacular. Maybe it will be the photographs taken by various individuals that will have a lasting place in the history of art from the London Olympics. I’m hoping, once the Olympics are over, that there will be something that we can look back at and know for sure that art history was made in London during the 23 Olympics.

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Art Nouveau - Nature and Abstraction

The term Art Nouveau comes from the name of a shop that opened in Paris in 1895 according to Nikolaus Pevsner’s book, The Sources of Modern Architecture and Design.   A house designed in 1892 and build in 1893 in Brussels probably marks the period when the style transferred to architecture.  The beginning of the style of Art Nouveau is placed somewhere between the years of 1883 and 1888. 

One of the individuals associated with Art Nouveau in the early years was Arthur H. Mackmurdo.  Mackmurdo was a young wealthy architect and designer.  He wrote a book in 1883 and referred to Sir Christopher Wren’s churches in London as Art Nouveau.  The reasoning for this association is that there were certain characteristics present that are often associated with the style.  These characteristics were asymmetrical flaming shapes derived from nature.

It is believed that Mackmurdo was influenced by William Morris and others.  Morris, a craftsman and  designer, is credited with encouraging young painters and architects all over to focus on helping people in their everyday lives. 

Art Nouveau became a universal success.  There were many others early that made significant contributions to the development of Art Nouveau.  The Paris Exhibition of 1900 was a major celebration of the art style.